The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-04-23


your
ITO be sure we cant" cried Mrs. Vastings,
shooting one of her irresistible chances at
not say no, and so, with the best grace pos
sible, consented.
We went into the house soon after, where
1 passed very pleasant evening Mrs.
Vastings played and sang so sweetly and
feelingly that l am positively certain,
madam, that if l had not been in love with
Medora, the widow would have carried nv
heart by storm, for although had reached
the age of forty unmarried, am and always
have been very susceptible to female charms,
and, as you know, Leda was one of ths most
charming of her sex.
| feel it my duty to tell you, beloved
reader, that prior to this time had, Upon
several occasions, been just upon the point
of offering myself as a sacrifice upon the
hymeneal altar, and but one thing re-
strained me. That was my terrible secret,
did not dare to reveal it before marriage,
and it would have been cruel to have mar
ried any woman, leaving her to discover it
afterwards.
/ returned to the store that night Il have
sleeping-room there) in great perturba-
ton. AS l have said before, was very
much in love with Medora, and would have
given worlds if could have called her mine
q hadn't great many worlds at that time
to be sure). But what hope was there for
me, while there were so many younger and
more agreeable men already at her feet!
And then my secret All, no, no. l loved
her, but l would not marry her. That
would be too cruel. Neither could the
widow ever by my widow, unless upon bet
ter acquaintance | could summon sufficient
courage to tell her my secret, and felt
sure that never could. But at least 1
would try. And in her society might PCS
siDly conquer my love for Medora.
For the next two weeks kept away from
Mr. Budderfli's, although | was constant
visitor at Dunready's Twice duringthat
time / met Medora on the street. Thefirst
time she bowed coldly, but the secondtime
she did not notice me at all. Whatiid it
mean! Was she angry because hid de-
serted her for Leda, and did she caresome-
thing for me, after all! l wouldn't allow
myself to be so egotistical as to think SO.
Pshaw | was old enough to be herfather.
Well, the night of the Fair CANT | ac-
companied Mrs. HASTINGS TO the hal, which
was already crowded. The youth AM beauty
of Larragona were assembled, ard some
thing less than Thousand hearts beat
happy" | was soon to appear bef,re them
as the redoubtable John Smith. doubt if
the real Smith felt more tremulols than
did as began my preparations for he char
acter.
At last all was in readiness. Ihad lain
myself down at full length upon tie stage,
with my head resting upon the fatal stone.
Powhatan, alias White, dressed in full In
dian costume, and looking like veritable
red man, held his club ready to strike, while
Pocahontas, far more beautiful than the
original, with her eyes turned teseechingly
upon the face of the ''stern parent" pro-
tected me from his impending wrath.
Gathered around us were score Of young
men, arrayed as children of the forest.
Turn your head a little more this way,
Smithy," said the fierce Powhatan; ''the
curtain is going up"
l did as directed. AS l gaZed around
among those terribly ferocous looking saw
ages, pair of dark eyes met mine. | knew
them, and l recognized the face through
the warpaint. / was about to speak, but
just then the curtain rolled up.
All was hushed for one moment, and then
the curtain began slowly to descend. We
must have made very creditable appear
ance for the applause was immense. Down
came the curtain. The cheering continued
"Roll up again." whispered Powhatau
"Keep cool, Smithy."
Again the curtain arose. The silence was
awful. l held my breath for an instant, and
then with single bound one of the young
braves" rushed out upon me, scalping-
knife in hand. A thrill of horror swept
through the audience, the ladies shrieked,
fai 7 ,ot,
and all the rest seemed spellbound The
scalping- knife flashed like lightning around
my head, and then, ah, then-the young
Indian clutched my hair. shut my eyes,
l tried to pray, l tried to shout. He tore
my patent zig from my head exposing my
secret to the world, and my completely bald
pate to the jeers of the crowd.
"Seize him!n l yelled, springing to my
feet but alas he had fed from the hall,
carrying nay scalp with him.
mot down in the bills!" cried voice in
the rear of the hall.
mot historical, Smithyw shouted an
other
A roar of laughter followed.
think l should have killed some one if
Powhatan had not held me fast, for / was
wild with rage.
At this point Mrs. Vastings, who had been
laid upon a sofa at the back of the stage,
opened her beautiful eyes. Her first glance
fell upon my shining poll, and shudder ran
through her frame. / rushed to her side.
80 Leda," l cried, "Hte cat is out Of the
bagi"
$50 see," she answered, with percep-
tible SILVER, motioning for me to leave her;
''and you've lost the bagr'
"Et tn BTute?' groaned, and then with
one mighty effort freed myself from Pow
hatan and fed down the stairs, followed by
the ringing ieers and laughter of the crowd.
Preached the store, and rushed up into
my room. Ha! the young Indian was there
before me, with my scalp still in his hand.
'Villainr' yelled, Selling him by the
throat.
'Hold hold am --''
''Whol"
''Medora Budderflir'
"The dickens" 1 sank into seat
Explain"
She hung her head for moment, and
then, raising her dark eyes to mine, she
whispered:
| 81 loved you"
''Me! Loved mel" l exclaimed
Eyes, and l knew your secret. 1t was
told me by lady who lives in your native
town"
| ''Wen?"
81 heard you were going to marry Mrs
| Vastings. l could not have it so. l heard
! her speaking only yesterday Of your beau